By Nick Michael
Assoc. News Editor
The varsity boys’ water polo team defeated the La Cañada Spartans at home on Thursday, October 29, in a thrilling overtime game that ended with a score of 12-11.
The Tigers got off to a great start on defense. They continuously pressured the Spartan offense, forcing multiple turnovers and bad shots. Offensively, the boys struggled to score early on, but juniors Spencer Gurley and Vaughn Huelsman eventually found the back of the net, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
The second quarter began much like the first, in that neither team was able to produce much offense. However, La Cañada soon started to heat up, passing the ball efficiently and scoring three goals. Gurley provided the Tigers’ only goal in the second period, and at halftime the two teams were even at 3-3.
The Spartans came out firing in the second half, scoring two straight goals. Junior D.J. Myer clinched one back, but La Cañada then scored two more, extending their lead to 7-4. South Pasadena fought back with a late third quarter goal from Huelsman, which gave the Tigers momentum going into the fourth quarter.
The final period was the most exciting of the game. Myer kicked off the scoring less than a minute in, cutting the Spartan lead to one, but La Cañada bounced right back. Despite two more goals from Myer, the Tigers still trailed 9-8 with 28 seconds left in the game. However, after a South Pasadena timeout, junior Leo Sonner came up clutch and fired a shot past the Spartan goalkeeper, evening the score at 9-9. La Cañada still had enough time to get a shot off, but an incredible save from junior Matthew Wright kept the score tied and forced overtime.
The Tigers used this positive energy to take control of the game in overtime. Myer and Huelsman scored in the first overtime period, and junior Cameron Benitez put the game out of reach in the second period with a goal from a penalty shot.
This remarkable win preserves the team’s undefeated league record, as they now stand at 6-0. The boys’ next game will be on Monday, November 2, away against San Marino.
